In one email, Ferguson reportedly wrote: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that.”
She continued: “You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family. I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you.
“And if I did – I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost.
“So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in overriding fear. I am sorry.”
Ferguson’s spokesman, James Henderson, insisted the email had been sent “in the context of advice the duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats” after she allegedly received an angry phone call from him while he was in prison.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Henderson said: “People don’t understand how terrible Epstein was. I can remember everything about that call.
“It was a chilling call and I’m surprised anybody was ever friends with him given the way he talked to me.”
He added: “He said he would destroy the York family and he was quite clear on that. He said he would destroy me.”